Controller for video game console

ABSTRACT

An improved controller for a game console that is intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner as a conventional controller, which has controls on the front operable by the thumbs, and has two additional controls located on the back in positions to be operated by the middle finger of a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to video game consoles, in particular tohand held controllers for video game consoles.

Conventional controllers for most game consoles are intended to be heldand operated by the user using both hands. A conventional controllerwill generally comprise a hard outer case with a plurality of controlsmounted about the controller. Typically the controls include buttons,analogue control sticks, bumpers, and triggers. An example of aconventional controller is shown in FIG. 1 .

As can be seen in FIG. 1 , all of the controls are mounted on the frontand top edge of the controller 1. Specifically, there are left on rightanalogue thumb sticks 2, 3 which normally control movement and areintended to be operated by the user's left and right thumb respectively.There are four buttons 4, located on a front right portion of thecontroller 1, which normally control additional actions and are intendedto be operated by the user's right thumb. There is a direction pad 5located on the lower portion of the front left of the controller 1. Thedirection pad 5 is intended to be operated by the user's left thumb,typically either as on alternative to the left thumb stick 2 or toprovide additional actions. There is a left trigger 6, a right trigger7, a left bumper 8, and a right bumper 9 located on the to edge of thecontroller 1. The left and right triggers 6, 7 are typically operated bythe user's index fingers. The left and right bumpers 8, 9 may also beoperated by the user's index fingers.

The only way to operate the four buttons 4 is for the user to remove hisor her right thumb from the right thumb stick 3. This takes time and, insome games, can cause a loss of control. This is a particular problem ingames where the right thumb stick 3 is used for aiming. A similarproblem may arise in games where the direction pad 5 provides additionalactions and the user has his to remove his or her thumb from the leftthumb stick 2 in order to operate the direction pad 5.

In light of the above, there is a need for an improved controller whichremoves the need for a user to remove his or her thumb from the left orright thumb stick 2, 3 in order to operate additional actions controlledthe four buttons 4 and/or the direction pad 5.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a hand held controller for a video gameconsole having a hard outer case and a plurality of controls located onthe front and top edge of the controller. The controller is shaped to beheld in both hands of the user such that the user's thumbs arepositioned to operate controls located on the front of the controllerand the user's index fingers are positioned to operate controls locatedon the top edge of the controller. The controller further includes oneor more additional controls located on the back of the controller in aposition to be operated by the users other fingers.

In one embodiment, each additional control is an elongate member whichis inherently resilient and flexible such that it can be displaced by auser to activate control function.

Preferably, each elongate member is mounted within a respective recesslocated in the case of the controller.

Preferably, each elongate member comprises an outermost surface which isdisposed in close proximity to the outermost surface of the controllersuch that the user's finger may be received in said respective recess.

Preferably, each elongate member has a thickness less than 10 mm thick,more preferably less than 5 mm thick, and most desirably between 1 mmand 3 mm.

Preferably, there are two additional controls which are elongate membersthat are parallel to each another. In another embodiment, the elongatemembers converge towards the front end of the controller with respect toone another.

Optionally, a portion of each of the elongate members is in registrywith a switch mechanism disposed within the controller, such thatdisplacement of the elongate member activates the switch mechanism.

Optionally, a switch mechanism is disposed between the elongate membersand an outer surface of the controller.

The controller of the present invention may be very similar to the priorart. In particular, the outer case of the controller and the type,number and positioning of the controls located on the front and top edgeof the controller may be the same as a controller according to the priorart, as described above and as illustrated in the figures.

The controller of the present invention is particularly advantageousover controllers according to the prior art as it comprises one or moreadditional controls located on the back of the controller in a positionto be operated by middle fingers of a user. The additional controls mayeither replicate the functions of one or more of the controls located onthe front or top edge of the controller or provide additionalfunctionality.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the additional controlsreplicate the function of a control located on the front of thecontroller. This means that a user does not need to remove his or herthumb from one of the thumb sticks in order to operate the buttonsand/or direction pad located on the front of the controller and caninstead perform the function by manipulating an additional controllocated on the back of the controller with a finger.

Alternatively, the additional controls may provide additionalfunctionality in that they do not replicate the function of controlslocated on the front or top of the controller but may perform differentfunctions. In this manner a controller according to the presentinvention may provide more functions than prior art controllers.

Preferably, the controls located on the back of the controller arepaddle levers. Suitable paddle levers may be formed integrally with theouter case of the controller or may be substantially separate from theouter case. This may be done in any manner apparent to the personskilled in the art. However, it is to be appreciated that the additionalcontrols may comprise any other control suitable for use by a hand heldcontroller.

Advantageously, if the additional controls are paddle levers, they willbe formed such that they are substantially vertically aligned withrespect to the controller. This may allow the most ergonomicallyefficient activation of the paddle levers by the middle fingers of theuser.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the specific embodiment illustrated in the drawings anddiscussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the front of a conventional gamecontroller according to the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the back of a game controlleraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the back of a game controlleraccording to the present invention as held and operated by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The particular embodiment described below and illustrated by FIGS. 2 and3 serves to further illustrate the invention, to provide those ofordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description ofthe devices claimed herein, and is not intended to knit the scope of theinvention. For example, the additional controls are described below astwo paddle levers but the term “control” as used in the claims, unlessotherwise made clear in the claim, refers to paddle levers as well asother controls such as buttons, analogue control sticks, bumpers, andtriggers.

The game controller 10 according to the present invention illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3 . The front of the game controller 10 of FIGS. 2 and 3 isthe same as a conventional controller 1, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and asdiscussed above. Therefore, where appropriate the same referencenumerals have been used to indicate the features of the controlleraccording to the present invention 10 that are identical to the featuresof a conventional controller 1.

Game controller 10 differs from the conventional controller 1 in that itadditionally comprises two paddle levers 11 located on the back of thecontroller. The paddle levers 11 are vertically orientated with respectto the controller 10 and are positioned to be operated by the middlefingers of a user 12, as shown in FIG. 3 .

In one embodiment the paddles 11 are formed from a thin flexiblematerial such as a plastics material for example polyethylene.Preferably, the paddles 11 are less than 10 mm thick, but may be lessthan 5 mm thick, and more preferably are 3 mm thick or less.

The paddles 11 are inherently resilient, which means that they return toan unbiased position when not under load. A user may displace or depresseither of the paddles 11 by engaging an outer surface thereof; suchdisplacement causes the paddle 11 to activate a switch mechanism mountedwithin the body of the controller 10. The paddles 11 are mounted withinrecesses located on the case of the controller 10; and are disposed inclose proximity to the outer surface of the controller body. In this waya user may engage the paddles 11 with the tips of the fingers,preferably the middle fingers, without compromising the user's grip onthe controller 10. While the example shows the paddles 11 engaged by themiddle fingers, they could also be engaged by the index, ring, or littlefingers. The index fingers may also engage trigger style controlsmounted on the top edge of the controller 10 while the thumbs may beused to activate controls on the front of the controller 10.

The paddles 11 are elongate in shape and substantially extend in adirection from the top edge to bottom edge of the controller 10. In oneembodiment the paddles are orientated parallel with each other. In analternative embodiment the paddles are orientated such that theyconverge towards the top edge with respect to each other. This elongateshape allows a user to engage the paddles with any of the middle, ring,or little finger; it also provides that different users having differentsize hands can engage with the paddles in a comfortable position therebyreducing the effects of prolonged or repeated use such as repetitivestrain injury.

In one embodiment, the paddle levers 11 replicate the functions of twoof the four buttons 4 located on the front of the controller 10 andthereby allow a user to operate the functions of the relevant buttonsusing his or her middle fingers 12, without the need to remove either ofhis or her thumbs from the left or right thumb stick 2, 3. Inalternative embodiments a paddle lever 11 may activate a new functionnot activated by a control on the front or top edge of the controller10.

It is envisaged that the paddles 11 could be fitted to an existingcontroller 10. In such embodiment the paddle would be mounted on theouter surface of the controller body by means of a mechanical fixingsuch as a screw or bolt or alternatively bonded or welded to thecontroller body by adhesive or other suitable means. A switch mechanismwould be mounted within the controller in vertical registry with aportion of each paddle. A portion of the switch mechanism may extendthrough the controller body and be disposed in close proximity or incontact with an innermost surface of the paddle 11.

In alternative embodiments it is envisaged that the paddles 11 would beintegrally formed with the controller body, the paddles 11 beingconfigured to be resilient and flexible such that they can be depressedby a user to activate a switch mechanism. This could be achieved bymoulding the controller body to have a U-shaped slot extending throughthe controller body; alternatively a U-shaped slot could be cut into thecontroller body after the moulding process. Preferably, the paddles 11would comprise a raised outermost surface with respect to thesurrounding area such that a user may locate the paddles 11. This may beachieved by moulding the paddle such that is thicker than thesurrounding area. It will be recognised that as used herein, directionalreferences such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”,“inner”, “outer”, “upper”, and “lower” do not limit the respectivefeatures to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish thesefeatures from one another.

Modifications and variations of the present invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art from the forgoing detailed description. Allmodifications and variations are intended to be encompassed by thefollowing claims. All publications, patents, and patent applicationscited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A hand held apparatus for providing user inputs toa computer program for controlling the computer program, the apparatuscomprising: a case configured to be supported only by a user's handsduring operation of the apparatus, the case comprising: a front face, aback face opposite the front face, a top face and a bottom opposite thetop face; a pair of handles, the first handle adjacent a first edge ofthe back face and the second handle adjacent a second edge of the backface opposite the first edge, wherein at least a portion of the backface forms a recess between the first handle and the second handleconfigured to receive the user's fingers when the apparatus is graspedby the user; a plurality of front controls disposed at the front face,each front control configured to be activated by the user's thumbsduring operation of the apparatus and each front control incommunication with one of a plurality of first sensors; a plurality oftop controls disposed at the top face, each top control configured to beactivated by the user's index fingers during operation of the apparatusand each top control in communication with one of a plurality of secondsensors; and a first back control located at the back face in a positionto allow activation by the user's middle, ring, or pinkie finger duringoperation of the apparatus, the first back control in communication witha third sensor of the apparatus, the first back control having avertical dimension measured from a top edge of the back face adjacent tothe top face of the outer case to a bottom edge of the back faceadjacent to the bottom of the case, the vertical dimension beingdifferent than a horizontal dimension of the first back controlperpendicular to the vertical dimension, wherein the third sensor isconfigured to replicate a first user input from one of the plurality offirst sensors or a second user input from one of the plurality of secondsensors,  wherein at least part of the first back control is located inthe recess.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: a secondback control located at the back face in a position to allow activationby the user's middle, ring, or pinkie finger during operation of theapparatus, the second back control in communication with a fourth sensorof the apparatus, the second back control having a vertical dimensionmeasured from a top edge of the back face adjacent to the top face ofthe outer case to a bottom edge of the back face adjacent to the bottomof the case, the vertical dimension being different than a horizontaldimension of the second back control perpendicular to the verticaldimension, wherein the fourth sensor is configured to replicate a firstuser input from one of the plurality of first sensors or a second userinput from one of the plurality of second sensors, wherein at least partof the second back control is located in the recess.
 23. The apparatusof claim 21, wherein the first back control comprises a first endactivated by the user and a second end opposite the first end andwherein at least the second end of the first back control is located inthe recess.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the second backcontrol comprises a first end activated by the user and a second endopposite the first end and wherein at least the second end of the secondback control is located in the recess.
 25. The apparatus of claim 21,wherein a surface of the first back control activated by a user issubstantially flush with an outer surface of the back face.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 21, wherein a surface of the first back controlactivated by a user is raised with respect to an outer surface of theback face.
 27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first back controland second back control comprise flexible portions of the back face. 28.The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first back control and the secondback control comprise paddle levers configured to move towards an outersurface of the back face when activated by the user and configured toreturn to an unactivated position when released.
 29. The apparatus ofclaim 28, wherein the first back control and the second back controlcomprise flexible paddle levers configured to flex towards the outersurface of the back face when activated by the user, and configured tounbend when released.
 30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein: thevertical dimension of the first back control is greater than thehorizontal dimension of the first back control, and the verticaldimension of the second back control is greater than the horizontaldimension of the second back control.
 31. The apparatus of claim 21,wherein the apparatus comprises a game controller configured to operatewith a computing device.
 32. A hand-held input device for providing userinputs to a computer program for controlling the computer program, thehand-held input device comprising: an outer case configured to besupported only by the user's hands during operation of the hand-heldinput device, the outer case comprising: a front face, a back faceopposite the front face, a top face and a bottom opposite the top face;a pair of handles, the first handle adjacent a first side of the backface and the second handle adjacent a second side of the back faceopposite the first side, wherein at least a portion of the back faceforms a recess between the first handle and the second handle configuredto receive the user's fingers when the apparatus is grasped by the user;a front control disposed at the front face in a position to be activatedby a thumb of the user, the front control in communication with a firstsensor of the apparatus configured to provide a first user input to thecomputer program; a top control disposed at the top face in a positionto be activated by an index finger of the user, the top control incommunication with a second sensor of the apparatus configured toprovide a second user input to the computer program; a first backcontrol located at the back face in a position to be activated by theuser's middle, ring, or pinkie finger, the first back control incommunication with a third sensor configured to provide a third userinput to the computer program, the third user input of the third sensorfrom activation of the first back control capable of replicating one ofthe first user input from the first sensor or the second user input fromthe second sensor; and a second back control located at the back face ina position to be activated by the user's middle, ring, or pinkie finger,the second back control in communication with a fourth sensor configuredto provide a fourth user input to the computer program, the fourth userinput of the fourth sensor from activation of the second back controlcapable of replicating one of the first user input from the first sensoror the second user input from the second sensor, wherein at least partof the first back control and at least part of the second back controlare located in the recess.
 33. The hand-held input device of claim 32,wherein: the first back control comprises an engagement portionconfigured to be activated by the user and an attachment portionconfigured to attach the first back control to the input device, theattachment portion opposite the engagement portion and the attachmentportion of the first back control located in the recess; and the secondback control comprises an engagement portion configured to be activatedby the user and an attachment portion configured to attach the secondback control to the input device, the attachment portion opposite theengagement portion and the attachment portion of the second back controllocated in the recess.
 34. The hand-held input device of claim 32,wherein: the first back control has a first horizontal dimensionperpendicular to a first vertical dimension of the first back controland wherein the first horizontal dimension is different from the firstvertical dimension; and the second back control has a second horizontaldimension perpendicular to a second vertical dimension of the secondback control and wherein the second horizontal dimension is differentfrom the second vertical dimension.
 35. The hand-held input device ofclaim 34, wherein the first back control and second back controlcomprise paddle levers.
 36. The hand-held input device of claim 35,wherein the first back control and second back control comprise paddlelevers configured to bend when activated by the user's middle, ring, orpinkie finger during operation, and configured to return to an unbentposition when released.
 37. The hand-held input device of claim 34,wherein: the first vertical dimension of the first back controlcomprises at least one fourth of the distance from a top edge of theback face to a bottom edge of the back face, and the second verticaldimension of the second back comprises at least one fourth of thedistance from the top edge of the back face to the bottom edge of theback face.
 38. The hand-held input device of claim 32, wherein the thirdand fourth sensors are located inside the apparatus.
 39. The hand-heldinput device of claim 32, wherein the third and fourth sensors compriseswitches.
 40. The hand-held input device of claim 32, wherein the inputdevice comprises a games controller.